Antonio Brown calls impending trade-to-Bills report ‘fake news’

When Antonio Brown requested to be traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers, landing with the Buffalo Bills probably wasn't what he had in mind. At least, that's the impression the wide receiver is giving with an Instagram comment in response to a report that a deal is imminent.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on Thursday that the Steelers are close to a deal to send Brown to the Bills.

Here is how Brown responded.

Vic Carucci of SiriusXM NFL later reported that no deal is imminent between the Steelers and Bills and that one league source called the trade "unlikely" to happen.

Brown has expressed an interest in joining the San Francisco 49ers since his fallout this past season with the Steelers. Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice has advocated all offseason for his former team to bring in Brown.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch stated last week in Indianapolis that the team has not reached out to Pittsburgh to inquire about Brown, leaving many to conclude that they are uninterested.

"Even if the two franchises agree to terms, it's possible Brown could scuttle the deal by refusing to report to Buffalo," reported Rapoport.

That is a real possibility, if the report is accurate, given Brown's Instagram response and the comments he made during an ESPN interview released this past weekend.

"Listen, I don't even have to play football if I don't want to, bro," Brown told Jeff Darlington of ESPN. "I don't even need the game, you know what I'm saying? I don't need to prove anything to anyone. If they want to play, they're going to play by my rules. If not, I don't need to play."

Could he call it quits if he doesn't like where the Steelers ship him?

"If I retire now, I'm great (financially)," Brown added.

We'll probably learn more about Brown's fate on Friday. For now, it looks like the 49ers are not in play for the receiver.

H/t to @TIM______ for the find.